Turkestan in photos
A unique collection of 19th-century photographs collected by Sultan Abdülhamid II
As part of the Organization of Turkic States’ first summit taking place in November 2022 in Samarkand, the Turkic History and Culture Foundation (TURKTAV) and the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan are organising Turkestan, an exhibition promoting the unique collection of photographs of Sultan Abdülhamid II.
The collection’s 36,585 photos have been collected into 911 albums, each of which is of significant value as a work of art. It is the world's largest collection of photographs from the 19th century and Turkey's first and only visual archive of the period. After the summit, TURKTAV plans to donate all of the images to Uzbekistan in electronic format.
The creator and ideologist of this unique collection was Sultan Abdülhamid II, the last ruler of the Ottoman Empire from 1876 to 1909. The word ‘Ottoman’ is a historical anglicization of the name of Osman I, who founded the empire in the 13th century.
Sultan Abdülhamid was particularly interested in the photographic arts and his reign coincided with a golden age of photography. He personally took care of photographers visiting the empire, as well as his palace photographers, for whom he set up a photographic studio. He used the photo albums that were sent to him from various parts of the world to build a unique collection. Abdülhamid used photography to get to know every inch of his empire. He was able to keep track of events around the world through photographs that he commissioned or acquired as well as special images and albums sent as gifts from all over the world.
The collection displays all the richness and diversity of the 19th-century world and is not only a precious piece of Turkish cultural heritage but is also of great importance to international culture.
The photo collection at Yıldız Palace in Istanbul contains many albums with different themes, including Ottoman palace architecture, portraits of members of the dynasty, cityscapes, historical events, geographical documents, life in the Ottoman empire, natural disasters, the army, fire brigade, cultural themes, civil and government buildings, images of people from various walks of life, and albums depicting the criminal world of various countries. The collection contains photographs from more than 40 countries as well as various regions and lands.
This rare archive serves as a piece of universal memory and a valuable resource on the history and culture of many 19th-century countries. It is a unique piece of national and world heritage that reflects the common roots of numerous societies. This visual treasure has the potential to carry into the future a culture of unity and solidarity between societies, as well as links and experiences between countries.
Turkestan presents a vivid picture of the vibrant urban life of Bukhara, Khiva, Baku, Ashgabat, Turkestan, Tashkent, Samarkand, Kashgar, and Kokand. The photos depict religious buildings, including mosques, madrasas, mausoleums, and tombs, as well as cultures of hospitality and leisure, including wedding ceremonies. The works also present a sad portrait of the destruction of treasured buildings and tragic natural disasters over the years.
The exhibition takes place during the First Summit of the Organisation of Turkic States in Samarkand on 11 November. It will not be open to the public, but after the photos are donated, there will be a separate exhibition held in Tashkent.
